Standard6

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Standard 6 Teachers communicate well.


 * **// The teacher uses effective verbal and nonverbal communication techniques as well as instructional media and technology to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom. //**


 * Evidence 1: **

Mrs. Koeppel's Symbaloo Link: []


 * Rationale 1: **

In 4th grade this year, I introduced the web tool Symbaloo to the students. Symbaloo is merely an organizational tool for internet resources used by students and teachers. It simplifies the way students access internet resources and keeps them in one location for convenience. The symbaloo link was utilized to provide links for my students that were used on a daily basis such as Spellingcity.com and Moodle. Students also used Symbaloo for links that brought them to resources needed to complete certain projects especially in the area of science. Lastly, Symbaloo was used to provide links that were integrated for Response to Intervention (RtI) centers in the areas of reading and language arts. The students became very familiar with using the Symbaloo tool and quickly learned what resources were used for certain areas based on the color coding. Students who struggle with reading and typing internet addresses used the symbols or short labels on each tile to access links they needed with ease. Students also began using Symbaloo in other classrooms to aid in organizing resources, which helped students in locating information for other classes anywhere they went. As an educator, I found this tool to be incredibly useful and efficient. Time wasn’t being wasted in the computer lab explaining how to get to a particular address, students just went to my Symbaloo and they were on their way. I could even see my student developing a stronger confidence in using the internet for a variety of tasks. I found that simple tools like Symbaloo can help organize and communicate information in ways I never thought imaginable.


 * KSD**


 * 6.K.4 The teacher recognizes the importance of nonverbal, verbal and media communication techniques.**


 * When I began using Symbaloo, I thought that this tool would eliminate the confusion of locating internet resources and provide a clear means for communicating resources I wanted students to use. Well, Symbaloo did just that. Students didn’t need to wait for step by step instructions to get to a website or follow along as the web address was written out and repeated. Students knew what they needed simply by looking at my Symbaloo site.


 * 6.S.5 The teacher knows how to use a variety of media communication tools, including audiovisual** ** aids and computers, to enrich learning opportunities. **


 * I used the Symbaloo tool to provide my students with resources without having to repeatedly write down or say web addresses for students to access when using the computers. Students could use the Symbaloo tool while working as a whole class, independently or even at home. I could communicate new resources by simply adding them to my Symbaloo site and students would see that new resources were there. The symbols and colors of the tiles also helped provided good visuals to represent specific links. With all the features combined, Symbaloo made sharing internet resources easy.


 * 6.D.2 The teacher values many ways in which people seek to communicate and encourages many** ** modes of communication in the classroom. **


 * One of the obstacles I discovered in 4th grade when using the internet is getting students to a specific website as a whole group. Some students find typing in a web addresses very simple while others struggle finding the keys, mixing up letters or just aren't paying attention. The Symbaloo was created to provide a symbolic means of communicating internet resources to my students. The students could simply click on the tile with the correct symbol or title and they could easily be directed to the specific site being used.